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Marcia Pochette

Age : 57

Gender : Female

Race : Black

Date : 07/31/2024

Location : Unknown

City : Boynton Beach

County : Palm Beach

State : Florida

Agency : West Palm Beach Police Department

Officer(s) :Austin B. Danielovich, Pierre F. Etienne, Christopher C. Rekdahl, Michael E. Borgen, William L. Loayza, Brandan C. Stedfelt, Darien J. Thomas ccdsew5rt4tt

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Mother and pregnant daughter, both bystanders, killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 07/31/2024, West Palm Beach Police Department officers attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Neoni Copeland. The reason for the attempted stop was never publicly confirmed by the department. Copeland continued driving while police pursued him from West Palm Beach into Boynton Beach. The pursuit ended when Copeland drove into the intersection of North Congress Avenue and Meadows Boulevard and crashed into the vehicle carrying 57-year-old Marcia Pochette and her 27-year-old pregnant daughter, Jenice Woods. Both women died from their injuries, and Woods' unborn child also died.
The Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office Public Corruption Unit investigated the pursuit. In June 2025, seven West Palm Beach police officers were arrested after prosecutors concluded the pursuit violated department policy. Officers Austin B. Danielovich, Pierre F. Etienne, and Christopher C. Rekdahl were each charged with two counts of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and one count of official misconduct. Officers Michael E. Borgen, William L. Loayza, Brandan C. Stedfelt, and Darien J. Thomas were each charged with official misconduct. Prosecutors alleged the officers failed to report the pursuit, failed to notify supervisors, and did not stop to render aid after the fatal collision. All seven officers were later terminated by the department.
Marcia Pochette's family publicly called for accountability and later filed a $10 million wrongful death lawsuit against the City of West Palm Beach, alleging negligent training and unlawful pursuit practices contributed to the deaths.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wptv.com/news/region-s-palm-beach-county/boynton-beach/what-caused-the-chase-fatal-crash-after-police-pursuit-leaves-victims-family-seeking-answers
https://people.com/woman-and-mother-reportedly-killed-in-fla-crash-man-arrested-8689958
https://www.wptv.com/wptv-investigates/public-corruption-unit-investigating-wpb-officers-actions-leading-to-deadly-boynton-beach-crash